Pakistan reach U19 CWC 24 semifinals after gripping win over Bangladesh

PAKISTAN BEAT BANGLADESH IN NAILBITER

Bangladesh won the toss and elected to field.

A superb bowling effort saw Pakistan being bowled out for 155. Bangladesh needed to win the contest in 38.1 overs to ensure a net run rate advantage over Pakistan, which would've helped them qualify for the semifinals. 

However, they fell short by five runs.

After seeing off the first few overs, Shahzaib Khan and Shamyl Hussain opened their arms.

The latter took the lead in run-scoring but also fell after he left Rohanat Doullah Borson delivery that jagged in and crashed against his off stump.

Although Pakistan were at a relatively safe 50/1 at the end of the first Powerplay, the Tigers struck back in the middle overs.

Led by Borson, and Sheikh Jibon, they ran through the Pakistan top and middle-order.

The side had lost their sixth wicket for 89. The batting innings never recovered from this start and couldn't bat out their quota of overs.

Jibon and Borson were the most efficient Bangladesh bowlers. Both of them finished with identical figures of 4-24.

Ubaid Shah fought back for Pakistan with two quick wickets up front, including the aggressive Jishan Alam.

He returned to get a third wicket in the form of Ahrar Amin. The batter edged one away from the first slip, but Haroon Arshad dived to take a brilliant catch.

Ubaid's third was Bangladesh's fourth wicket, and the side needed Ariful Islam and Md Shihab James to stand up for them.

But Ariful fell in the very next over. He had nearly succeeded in dispatching an Ali Raza delivery past point, but the ball was brilliantly intercepted by Shamyl, who took a stunning blinder at point.

In the 20th over, Ubaid struck for a fourth time to reduce Bangladesh at 83/6.

Shihab and newcomer Mahfuzur Rahman set about rebuilding the chase, of which 73 runs remained.

Shihab took the lead in scoring, while Mahfuzur remained solid at the other end. Shihab was lucky to survive in the 29th over, when Ubaid couldn't hold on to a straightforward catch.

However, Ubaid made amends in the very next over by snaring Shihab. Ali Raza contributed soon after, and Pakistan were on top once more.

Pakistan were nearly there when a direct hit got them the ninth wicket at 127.

However, Borson and Maruf Mridha fought on for the final wicket. The duo brought Bangladesh at the brink, and the side needed merely six runs to win by the 37th over. However, Mohammad Zeeshan forced Maruf to fend one back to his stump, and managed to wrap things for Pakistan

IRELAND SURPRISE NEW ZEALAND

Ireland won the toss and elected to bat.

Ireland batters showed their aggressive intent early on, going at about six an over, before the Kiwi pacers struck back by removing their openers.

Gavin Roulston and Kian Hilton then got about reconstructing the Irish innings. Hilton scored yet another impressive half-century, to push Ireland closer to 200.

The European side did cross that mark, but Ewald Schreuder's sensational spell brought the Black Caps back into the game.

Roulston's fighting 82 helped Ireland finish past 250. Roulston's knock encompassed six fours. Hilton was the second-best with 72 to his name. Schreuder was the pick of the Kiwi bowlers with his 4-46.

Disciplined work from Ireland ensured that the New Zealand innings had a sedate start.

Sharp work in the field and Oliver Riley's splendid bowling ensured that the top three were back in the hut by the 24th over.

New Zealand lost two more, including skipper Oscar Jackson, before inclement weather stopped the game.

The game couldn't resume, and Ireland were declared winners by 41 runs.

Thus, the European side ended their campaign on a winning note.

ENGLAND THUMP ZIMBABWE

Zimbabwe won the toss and elected to field

Theo Wylie's kept the scoreboard ticking, even as England lost two big wickets within the first 15 overs.

Zimbabwe's sharp work in the field, helped them garner wickets at regular intervals. This included the unusual dismissal of Hamza Shaikh.

The batter jammed the ball back onto his shoe and then picked it up while it was still rolling. He was declared out for obstructing the field.

When Wylie fell for 61, England had 116 on board, with half their side back in the pavilion.

An important stand between Charlie Allison and Haydon Mustard, helped England reach 237/7 at their 50 over mark. Allison finished at 76, while Mustard scored 41.

Zimbabwe's chase was dismantled by the superb turn of Tazeem Ali.

The young Chevrons were 51/3 when Tazeem struck first. He then went on to garner the remaining six wickets, even as Zimbabwe's innings went into a tailspin.

Tazeem's 7-29 won him the Player of the Match accolades. Thus, England managed to sign off with a win.